Grill Season Is in Full Swing. Is Your Backyard Safe?

By now, most of us have settled into the rhythm of summer. The grill is getting plenty of use, dinner is happening outside whenever the weather cooperates, and weekends are filled with family and friends. But since it’s been a month or two of regular grilling, now is a great time to take a quick look around your backyard and make sure everything is still in good shape. Here are a few things worth checking before you fire up the grill tonight.

Give Your Grill a Little More Space Than You Think It Needs

Every year we replace melted vinyl siding because a grill was sitting just a little too close to the house. People are often surprised to learn that it doesn’t take direct flames to cause damage. The heat coming off the grill alone can warp siding, discolor trim, and even damage nearby windows.

If possible, keep your grill at least ten feet away from your home, deck railings, fences, and anything overhead like awnings or low tree branches. A little extra distance can save you from a repair you never saw coming.

Your Grill Could Probably Use a Mid-Summer Cleaning

If you’ve been grilling a few nights a week since Memorial Day, your grill has earned a little attention.

Grease builds up faster than most people realize, and that’s one of the biggest causes of flare-ups. Spend a few minutes brushing the grates, emptying the grease tray, and cleaning out any debris underneath. Not only is it safer, but your food will cook more evenly too.

Take a Walk Around Your Deck or Patio

While you’re at it, give the area around your grill a quick once-over.

Look for loose deck boards, popped nails, wobbly railings, cracked steps, or anything else that doesn’t feel quite right. You’re carrying hot food, propane tanks, and serving trays back and forth all summer long. It’s much better to tighten a loose railing today than discover it when someone leans against it tomorrow, especially considering the storms we’ve had.

Give Your Propane Tank a Quick Check

Look over your propane hose for cracks or signs of wear, make sure the connections are tight, and if you ever smell gas, don’t light the grill until you’ve figured out why. A little dish soap mixed with water can help you spot a leak by creating bubbles around the connection.

Clear Out the Backyard Clutter

Summer has a funny way of filling up the patio.

Pool toys, bikes, sports equipment, gardening supplies, and coolers all seem to end up around the grill. Before you start cooking, clear away anything that could become a trip hazard or accidentally end up too close to the heat.

Don’t Forget to Look Up

Most people remember to check what’s behind the grill. Fewer people remember to check what’s above it.

Tree branches, patio umbrellas, string lights, pergolas, and roof overhangs can all be affected by the heat rising from your grill. A quick glance overhead before you start cooking is always worth it.

Keep Safety Within Reach

Hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s always smart to have a fire extinguisher nearby and know exactly where your garden hose is. And as tempting as it is to run inside to answer the phone or grab another plate, try not to leave a lit grill unattended.

It only takes a moment for a small flare-up to become something much more serious.

A Few Minutes Now Can Save You a Lot Later

One thing we’ve learned over the years is that most expensive repairs don’t start with a major disaster. More often than not, they begin with a small issue that nobody noticed until it became a much bigger problem.

Taking ten minutes to look over your grill, deck, and backyard today can help keep your home safe, your family protected, and your summer focused on what really matters - good food, good company, and enjoying the season.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Deck and Patio Prep for Summer

There’s a certain moment every spring in Connecticut when everyone collectively realizes that summer is actually coming. Suddenly the deck furniture comes out, the grill gets uncovered, and people start looking at their patios a little more critically.

Unfortunately, winter is not exactly gentle on outdoor spaces around here. Between snow, ice, moisture, freezing temperatures, and the occasional “I’ll deal with it in the spring” procrastination, decks and patios can take a real beating over the colder months. The good news is that a little attention now can help prevent expensive repairs later and make your outdoor spaces far more enjoyable all summer long.

The first thing homeowners should do is simply take a slow walk around the area and inspect everything carefully. Winter damage is often subtle at first. Look for loose boards, popped nails, cracked pavers, rotting wood, unstable railings, or areas where the surface feels soft or uneven underfoot. If something feels questionable now, it probably won’t improve after a season of heavy foot traffic, summer storms, and backyard barbecues.

Decks in particular tend to collect moisture damage over time, especially in shaded areas or spots where that long spell of snow sat all winter. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is assuming that a deck only needs attention when it looks bad. In reality, preventative maintenance is what gives a deck a long lifespan.

A proper cleaning is usually the best place to start. Dirt, algae, mildew, pollen, and old leaves make a deck look dingy and they can break down materials over time, creating unsafe surfaces. While pressure washers can be effective, they also have the potential to do a surprising amount of damage if used incorrectly. Too much pressure can gouge wood, splinter surfaces, and shorten the life of the deck. In many cases, a gentler wash combined with the proper cleaning solution is the smarter option.

Once the surface is clean, homeowners should check whether the deck still has adequate protection from the elements. An easy test is to sprinkle a little water onto the wood. If the water beads up, the protective seal is likely still doing its job. If the wood absorbs the water quickly, it may be time to reseal or restain the surface.

Patios require attention too, especially after a Connecticut freeze-thaw season. Pavers can shift over time as the ground expands and contracts, creating uneven surfaces and tripping hazards. Small cracks in stone or concrete can also worsen surprisingly fast once water starts getting inside them. Early repairs are almost always simpler and less expensive than waiting another year.

Spring is also a good time to address drainage issues around patios and outdoor living spaces. If water pools near the house after rainstorms, or if certain sections stay wet for long periods of time, it’s worth investigating before summer humidity arrives. Standing moisture is rarely a homeowner’s friend.

Furniture and outdoor accessories deserve a little preparation as well. Cushions should be checked for mold or mildew, umbrellas inspected for tears, and grills cleaned before the first big cookout of the season. Nobody wants to discover a propane issue five minutes before guests arrive.

For homeowners considering upgrades, summer is often when people realize how much they actually use these spaces. Simple additions like lighting, planters, privacy screens, or a refreshed seating area can dramatically improve how a deck or patio feels without requiring a full renovation.

At the end of the day, outdoor spaces are meant to be enjoyed. A little maintenance now can help prevent bigger headaches later and ensure that when the warm weather finally sticks around, your deck or patio is ready for everything from quiet morning coffee to busy summer gatherings.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Eight Quick Home Projects to Tackle This August

August is a great time to roll up your sleeves and knock out some easy home improvement jobs before fall rolls in. Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s value or just give it a little glow-up, these projects don’t require a contractor or a ton of time. Just a weekend, some elbow grease, and maybe a cold drink or two.

1. Clean and Seal the Deck

Your deck’s taken a beating all summer through the sun, rain, foot traffic, and maybe a few BBQ sauce mishaps. Give it a good power wash and reseal it. You’ll prevent wood rot, keep splinters at bay, and extend the life of the wood. Bonus: it’ll look brand new heading into Labor Day.

2. Swap Out Air Filters

Your HVAC system’s been running hard. Dirty filters make it less efficient and kick dust and allergens back into the air. Swap in clean filters and breathe easier. It’s cheap, fast, and makes a real difference for indoor air quality.

3. Caulk Windows and Doors

Feel a breeze where there shouldn’t be one? August is your last call to stop drafts before cooler weather hits. A $5 tube of caulk can save you serious cash on heating bills down the line.

4. Add a Smart Thermostat

Speaking of heating bills, installing a smart thermostat is an easy DIY with big returns. It helps you manage energy use and can pay for itself in a year. Many are compatible with Alexa or Google Home, if you’re into that kind of thing.

5. Declutter and Donate

This one’s less about tools and more about tackling the post-summer mess. Sort through the garage, basement, or that closet you’ve been ignoring. You’ll make space for fall gear and maybe even uncover something useful you forgot you owned.

6. Freshen Up the Front Door

Curb appeal matters, even if you’re not selling. A fresh coat of paint on your front door or new hardware (like a modern handle or knocker) can give your entryway a whole new vibe. Go bold or classic, just make it intentional.

7. Clean Out the Gutters

August is dry, which makes it the perfect time to clear out gunk from your gutters. You’ll be glad you did once the leaves start falling. Bonus: you’ll prevent water damage, mold, and unwanted pests.

8. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

It takes five minutes, and it could save your life. Replace batteries, test the alarms, and make sure you’ve got one in every key area. Safety first, always.

You don’t always need a full-blown renovation to make your home better. These projects are simple, affordable, and perfect for that August energy before school starts and the busyness of the fall season begins.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.